Mansi Dhiman, an IIT Delhi civil engineering graduate,  started as a field engineer with Schlumberger and swiftly advanced in her career. Her determination led her to work on an oil rig in Indonesia before joining Cairn India as a Petroleum Engineer, where she achieved two promotions in three years. Despite lacking a petroleum background, she handled multimillion-dollar equipment selections. Mansi decided to pursue an MBA to lead a global clean energy firm and create a positive impact on the company, country, and people. She partnered with MER on her application to 5 top programs- Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Kellogg, and INSEAD and gained admission into all. Mansi is headed to her dream school -Harvard.

Mansi’s interview will be published in 4 parts. She will share her background, goals, reasons for pursuing an MBA, unwavering preference for HBS, application strategy, and preparation, advice on video essays, and much more.

In this part, Mansi talks about:

• Her Background
• career Goals
• Reasons to Pursue an MBA
• Her Preference for HBS

And now presenting Mansi.........

Poonam: Congratulations on getting admission offers from 5 top schools- Kellogg, Wharton, INSEAD, Stanford, and Harvard. This is a phenomenal success. How does it feel?

Mansi: Thank you so much. Congratulations to you as well. I feel privileged and feel lucky as well.

Poonam: Thank you. You are being modest. You have worked hard for it.

Mansi: Yes, we have worked hard for it.

Background

Poonam: Sure, we did. Thank you. Can you say something about yourself? What and where did you study as an undergrad? And what do you do now?

Mansi: For sure. I was born and brought up in Chandigarh, a town in India. I graduated from IIT Delhi in 2012. And after that, I joined the oil and gas industry. I worked for Schlumberger in India and Indonesia for a couple of years. Then I joined Cairn, an oil and gas company based in India. For the last 3.5 years, I have been working with this company in planning and construction. Overall my total number of years of experience is 5.5 years.

Reasons to Pursue an MBA

Poonam: When did you start thinking about an MBA? Why now?

Mansi: I started thinking about MBA seriously right after graduating from IIT. But first, I wanted to get the right amount of work experience required for a business school.  I took my first GMAT exam while I was in Schlumberger, but I wasn’t very serious about it and could not pursue my MBA plans back then due to my hectic work schedule. About three years back, I started thinking seriously and took conscious steps in my career to gain a holistic view of my industry. For example, I moved from an oil and service provider to an operating company. Also, I tried a business planning role, which further helped me to understand the oil and gas business.

Career Goals

Poonam: Good. What are your career goals?

Mansi: Post MBA, I want to pursue strategy consulting with a global consulting firm such as McKinsey and BCG for a few years. The diverse and global experience that I will get through strategy consulting will help me accelerate my learning and career growth. Down the line, I envision myself as a leader in the Oil and Gas Industry itself. I see myself in more of a General Management strategy role, which I am sure Harvard will give me ample opportunities.

Preference for Harvard

Poonam: You applied to Kellogg, INSEAD, Wharton, Stanford, and Harvard, and you are accepted by all of them. You are going to Harvard. Usually, people debate between two equally great schools, but you had your heart set on Harvard. You were always very clear that you would go to Harvard. How is Harvard your dream school?

Mansi: Absolutely correct. I am really thankful that I got through all these schools. All these schools are great in their own way. But yes, my dream school has always been Harvard. When I started my preparation, I wrote on a piece of paper HBS and put that on the wall.  And every single day, I will look at that paper on the wall and aim for it. I felt connected to HBS when I saw that my college seniors who went to HBS were impacting their respective industries. Their example inspired me the most to move toward Harvard. That is why Harvard was always my dream school. Also, the case study method of Harvard appeals the most to me. Yes, I am clear about going to Harvard, my dream school.

Poonam: Excellent. I am glad your dream has come true.

Note: Stay tuned to Mansi’s interview Part 2, wherein she shares her application strategy, planning, and preparation that led to her amazing success.

Click here for Mansi’s testimonial of MER services

Click here for Mansi’s GMAT Club Review.

Related Posts:

Kellogg MBA Experience – A Current student Shares Experience and Advice 

Michigan Ross MBA experience -A Current Student Shares his Experience and Advice

Oxford MBA Experience- Indian Engineer Shares experience and Advice

Since 2011, MER (myEssayReview) has helped many applicants get accepted into the top 20 MBA programs. (Poonam is one of the top 5 most reviewed consultants on the GMAT Club.)

Do you have questions about your application? E-mail Poonam at poonam@myessayreview.com or sign up here for a free consultation.